Colton Williams 5 Gallon Fall Challenge
Colton "Buck" Williams
Colton was my grandson. As the only grandson on both sides, he received a great deal of attention. He had a love for the outdoors and spent every chance he could outside. His dad and grandfathers took him fishing, hunting, and camping almost from birth. He also enjoyed all physical sports and played as much as he could. He never met a stranger and had friends at school, church, and the sports field.
He accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized in the Edisto River the day after he and his dad caught a huge catfish. Colton could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He once had the chance to have a private camp-side meal with fishing legend Roland Martin. He shook his hand, looked him straight in the eye, and with a serious tone said, “So what kind of lures do you use?”
When he turned 8 years old, Colton went to SC Waterfowl Association’s Camp Woodie and had a fantastic experience. It combined his love for the outdoors with meeting lots of kids his age. He thoroughly enjoyed it and was really looking forward to going back. Tragically, on Thanksgiving of his 9th year, Colton was gone too soon in a hunting accident. In the devastation that followed, many people reached out to our family with kindness, hoping to help in some way. We believed Colton would want other children, less fortunate than himself, to experience the joy of the outdoors along with other children and learn about the incredible world around us.
The SC Waterfowl Association, SCDNR, and countless individuals came together to use donations to create sustaining scholarships in Colton’s honor. One of Colton’s favorite outdoor activities was the “5-gallon bucket challenge.” This event was perfect for him as it combined fishing with competition. The goal is to catch as many fish as you can in a day and have the most weight in a 5-gallon bucket. There were several other contests included as well. He won the “ugliest dogfish” one year thanks to a little help from a generous adult (who gave him the dogfish, thanks Butch!).
Thanks to BPIC and the generous organizers of this event, the challenge now bears his name and funds many scholarships for underprivileged children to go to Camp Woodie. Every year, 100% of the proceeds from this event go to these scholarships. It is such a joy to give back to those who are less fortunate than us. And who are more deserving than children?
- Vince Furtik (Colton's Grandfather)
But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for
of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16 NKJV
SC Youth Fundraising Fishing Tournament
BPIC, through our BPIC Youth "CREATION RELATION" Program, is reaching out to young South Carolinians who can benefit from experiencing God’s creation alongside Christian adults dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus Christ. This program offers SC youth the chance to engage in outdoor activities and build meaningful relationships.
For the past 4 years, BPIC, in collaboration with B&B Seafood and The South Carolina Waterfowl Association, has hosted the annual Colton Williams 5 Gallon Fall Challenge, an inshore saltwater fishing tournament held each fall at Bennetts Point, SC, in the heart of the ACE Basin. Over these years, we have raised several thousand dollars, directly impacting the lives of many young South Carolinians who may never have had the opportunity to attend a summer camp like Camp Woodie (SCWA). Through the generosity of our sponsors and donors, we have witnessed positive changes in the lives of these young people.
Please visit our tournament registration page to sign up. Also, check the events page for specific times and dates. As in previous years, we are seeking sponsors for this event. If you are interested in supporting this cause, we deeply appreciate your monetary support and participation in any capacity.
The Colton Williams 5 Gallon Fall Challenge is more than just a fishing tournament—it's the foundation of a lasting and impactful outreach effort. While the tournament remains a significant annual event, our mission extends far beyond a single day. We aim to create enduring opportunities to reach young people and other participants, including donors, with the love of Jesus Christ. This love is infinite and available to everyone, and our outreach is designed to reflect that boundless grace. By expanding beyond just fishing or camp experiences, we are confident that our initiative will grow into something even greater, continually spreading the message of Christ’s love in various meaningful ways.